A Penang PKR assemblyperson has expressed shock to learn that the government has now decided to retain the controversial National Civics Bureau (Biro Tatanegara, BTN) under the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD).

Bukit Tengah representative Gooi Hsiao Leung said BTN "has no place in our new Malaysia, post-GE14".

"It is a monster created by BN to spread hate and intolerance that must be totally exorcised and be rid of. This monster must be slain," Gooi told Malaysiakini.

"Why on earth do we want to spend more money to retain an agency that was used as a political tool for decades by BN, to brainwash civil servants and students with racist propaganda and hatred, perpetuate single race supremacy and divide the nation along racial lines?" he asked.

Gooi reminded the Pakatan Harapan government of its promise to abolish the BTN, as contained in Harapan’s manifesto.

He called on the new MPs to raise their views on the BTN in the coming parliamentary session as "this issue is urgent" because it concerns the future of the country.

The Harapan manifesto states that the agency had been "abused" by Umno and BN to spread narrow, ethnoreligious politics to influence the youth.

Many notable civil society movements, such as G25, have in the past repeatedly condemned BTN as a tool used to "undermine national unity" and have called for its dissolution.

'BTN has no place in new Malaysia'

Even before GE14, NGO Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia called for, among others, a stop in gutter and fear politics, corruption, and for a review of the functions of the BTN.

"A government agency that indoctrinates and promotes racism, extremism and disunity like the BTN has no place in our new Malaysia," Gooi reiterated.

"I strongly urge the government to reconsider its decision to retain the bureau," he said.

"However, should the government, in the end, decide to keep the bureau, its entire aim and purpose must be clearly redefined and revamped with all its old department heads purged and removed," the PKR supreme council member added.

Gooi proposed that the sole purpose of the BTN must be to strengthen and enhance national harmony and unity based on the fundamental principles of the “Rukun Negara”.

This must be reflective of our multi-racial and multi-religious spirit and the make-up of our nation, he said.

"In this regard, our government must clarify and make it known publicly how and in what shape and manner BTN will be overhauled, should the government decide to keep the bureau," he added.